Couch Coach

If you had your own personal coach, what would you want them to say to you?

Write the words, colour them in, and make a speech bubble. Next, display it on your very own couch. Share a photo with us. If you want to, you can also write a mini-blog here of your conversation with your couch coach.

instructions

Have a quick lie-down on your sofa and think about the voice you need to hear most right now. Is it an Olympic-style motivator? A life-coach helping you follow your dreams? Or are you secretly wishing you were lying on a friendly psychiatrist's couch...?

Imagine there's someone there whose sole motivation is to help you be the best you can be. What words do you most need to hear today?

Get off the couch and write that sentence down. Go with your guts. Write them carefully, colour them in. Make it look fabulous. Then cut it into the shape of a speech bubble. Yes, your couch is coaching you.

Take a photograph. Load your photo up to the gallery by clicking on 'join in' above. In the text box, write a mini-blog in the voice of your Couch Coach - a monologue, a conversation, whatever you like. Or leave it blank and we'll assume a peaceful silence.

Then stick your speech bubble somewhere the words will spur you on every day.

You can WIN a prize just for loading up your picture: In August, we're giving away a coaching session with Kirsten of Mum and More. The rules of the competition are here. If you share your photo here in August, you're automatically entered, so just let us know if you don't want to be.

NOTE: If you haven't registered with story of mum yet, you will see 'join us' on the button above - so click here and fill in the quick registration form. You'll immediately receive an email that will allow you to log back in and join in any of the activities on the site. More information on joining us here.

For some reason these words never seem to sink in. I never feel like I am enough. I always seem to be failing to do something as well as I want to - mothering, working, friendship, marriage, the list goes on. There is always someone or something calling for my attention when I have no more to give. Something to feel guilty about.

"You are enough"

I now say this to myself whenever I breathe out in yoga. Maybe if I hear these words enough, I will feel enough.

Remember to go easy on yourself, have realistic expectations...it's just not possible to be wonderwoman all day, every day, and most of all nurture and support yourself; you can look after others better if you look after yourself well.

I already have this firmly in my mind to be honest, but it helps when I start to feel guilty again. The house I grew up in had 4 dogs and a cat laying around all the time. I have no allergies, and I keep telling myself that this is why! A little bit of dust now and again will not affect your kids. If you have to ignore them in order to keep the house impeccably clean, this will. We all want to be all things to all people, and it's just not possible. Don't waste time feeling guilty and enjoy the time you have at home with those little ones!

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